Let me start by saying this router is an absolute beast. The moment I unboxed the RT-BE88U, I knew I was dealing with serious hardware. Those four massive antennas aren't just for show - they deliver WiFi 7 speeds that made my old router look like dial-up.

The setup was ridiculously easy through the ASUS app (though the interface does look like it's from 2015). Within minutes, I had my mesh network humming along with my existing ASUS node. The automatic handoff between routers as I move around my three-story house is seamless - no more annoying drops when going to the basement!

Where this router really shines is wired performance. Those dual 10G ports and four 2.5G ports are game-changers for my home office setup. Transferring large video files between my NAS and editing rig now happens in the blink of an eye. The SFP+ port is a nice touch for future-proofing too.

Now for the not-so-great parts: The 6GHz band coverage isn't as strong as I'd hoped, especially through thick walls (my home's 1930s construction doesn't help). And while ASUS touts 'commercial-grade' security, I wish they'd included more advanced configuration options for power users.

The built-in VPN with free Let's Encrypt certificate has been a lifesaver when working from coffee shops. And parental controls are robust enough to keep my kids from binging YouTube all night.

Pro tip: This thing runs HOT. Do yourself a favor and put it on a cooling pad - mine sits on a laptop cooler and stays much happier that way.

At this price point, you're definitely paying for future-proofing. But if you need blistering speeds today and want headroom for tomorrow's devices, the RT-BE88U delivers where it counts.